Plays of shapes and volumes, materials, colors: Elena Salmistraro seeks to merge the artistic and handcrafted field with industrial design. Her language is poetic, yet resulting in much functional creations such as lamps, vases, stuffed animals and glam accessories. Salmistraro prefers natural materials like wood, glass, paper and ceramic, creating stylish products caught in between art, fashion and design, merging tradition and innovation all together. Born in Milan, she travels around the world for work and passion. And so do her products, participating in many events and exhibitions: from Milan’s Triennale to Shanghai’s Biennale, from Stockholm’s Furniture and Light Fair to Milan’s Salone del Mobile. To better understand the philosophy of the young fashion designer as well as her collections, all you have to do is look at each wonderful piece.

Let’s start with the Made in Milano candleholder. Designed exclusively for yoox.com, it’s inspired by the contrast between the white top of Mount Fuji and its dark rocky body; Salmistraro recalls the feel of a Japanese landscape by stressing the contrast among the colors of the product thanks to the employment of polished varnish and copper effects.

MRND lamps (created for Seletti) reinterpret Giorgio Morandi’s still lifes in a art/design take: the painter’s works look like detached from the canvas and turned into lamps. The result is a design product that recalls the Master’s pieces in terms of subtle hues.

La Dinastia Kan dishware collection – including two bottles, a vase, a bowl and a cloche - was born with another type of inspiration, the ancient Maya art. The products feature simple geometric lines, inlay works, sandblasted glass details recalling the style of the ancient civilization. Moreover, the designer has chosen the name of a Maya divinity for each of such pieces, created for Massimo Lunardon. Finally, ancient art – in this case Egyptian – serves as inspiration for Khepri, a beetle-shaped ceramic case designed for Bosa: a unique design product, symbolizing good luck. 

INFO: www.elenasalmistraro.com

PHOTO COURTESY: Tom Vack